Draft and buffer rigging for vehicles



v. .s. DANIELSON :1- AL ,638,353

DRAFT AND BUFFER RIGGING FOR VEHICLES May 12, 1953 Filed July 11 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ill) [/1 1| lIl'/////////AV////J/ [Ill y 1953 v. s. DANIELSON Em. 2,638,353

' DRAFT AND BUFFER RIGGING FOR VEHICLES Inveni o is 7/rn0n SLIM/21716226072.

Willi am 17. Wp/Uace.

y 12, 1953 v. s. DANIELSON EI'AL 2,638,353

DRAFT AND BUFFER RIGGING FOR vsmcuas Filed July 11, 1951 a sneets snea t s WIIIIIII/IIIIIII ud mu g ng; I

InVqn/brs 1 Vernon .Sllamelson.

Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATE DRAFT AND BUFFER RIGGING FOR VEHICLES Vernon S. Danielson, Bolton, and William D. Wallace, Park Forest, 111., assignors to W. H.

, Miner, Inc., Chicago, Ill.,

ware

Application July 11, 1951, Serial No. 236,212

' 9 Claims. (01. 280-333) This' invention relates to improvements in draft and buffer riggings for vehicles, and more particularly for such vehicles as army tanks.

7 One object of the invention is to provide draft and bufier riggings for vehicles, such as army tanksadapted to be coupled to each other, including a friction shockabsorbing device designed to cushion draft and. bufflng shocks, wherein the friction shock absorbing device is connected to the coupler by a drawbar in the form of a bolt extending through the friction shock absorbing device and cooperating with followers at opposite ends of the device for actuating the latter in buff and draft, wherein the friction'shock absorbing device is mounted on the tank by means of a support pivotally connected to the tank for swinging movement on a horizontal'axis, and wherein the friction device is mounted in said support for pivotal movement" about a vertical axis, whereby the coupling means has universal pivotal movement with respect to the tank on which it is mounted, and is alsorotatablyadjustable about its longitudinal axis. g

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a draft and buffer rigging-for vehicles, comprising a supporting frame structurefpivotally connected to the vehicle for.swinging movement in a vertical plane, a friction shock absorbing device including a'friction casing and a spring resisted friction clutch, the frictioncaS- ing being pivotally-mounted on the supporting frame for swivelling movement about a vertical axis, and a drawbar in the form of a bolt extending through the casing, and followers [at opposite ends of the friction shock absorbin device with which said bolt'cooperates to actuate the-friction shock absorbing device in buff and draft, the drawbar being rotatable about its longitudinal axis, thereby providing for adjustment thereof, in service, about its longitudinal axis,v as well as universal pivotal movement thereof pro? vided by the swivelled connection of the shock absorbing device with the supporting frame (and pivoted connection of the latter with thevehicle. Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part.

of this specification, Flgure 1 is. a side elevational view of our improvedjdraft and ,buffer' rig'ging, illustrating the same-applied to the front and rear ends ofv a, pair of coupled army tanks, the end portions of the tanks being'shown broken away' and in vertical longitudinal section. Fig- 2 is a toP ar a 91 Fi ure} w h tl ee i a corporation of Delaportion of the tank at the left'hand side shown in horizontal section. Figure 3 is a view on an enlarged scale,- similar to Figure 2, showing only the mechanism at the left hand side of Figure 2, with the friction shock absorbing device and the coupler omitted, and certain parts in horizontal longitudinal section. Figure 4 is an elevational view of Figure 3, looking from right to left in said figure. Figure 5 is a broken view on an enlarged scale, similar to Figure 2, of the mechanism at the right hand side of said figure, showing the friction shock absorbing device and associated parts in horizontal section. Figure 6 is a broken plan view of the supporting members shown in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a side view of the spring supporting bracket shown in Figure 5. Figure 8 is an elevational view of the supporting'bracket at the left hand side of Figure 4. I

As shown in the drawings, our improvements comprise draft and buffer riggings applied to both the front and rear ends of army tanks, the con' structions of these draft and buffer riggings being substantially the same, with the exception of certain modifications which are necessary to adapt them to the specific designs ofthe front and rear end structures of the tanks.

As illustrated in the drawings, each draft and buffer rigging comprises broadly a supporting frame A, pivotally connected to one end of the army tank for swinging movement in a vertical plane, a carrier B swiveled on the supporting frame for rotation about a vertical axis," afric-i tion shock absorber C supported withinthecarrier, outer and inner followers D and E within the carrier cooperating with the friction shock absorber, a drawbar F extending through the friction shock absorber and follower, and a coupler G connected to the drawbar F.

In the drawings, the frontend portion 10 of a well-known design of army tank is shown at the right hand sides of Figures 1 and 2, and the rear end portion ll of a similar army tank is shown at the left hand sides of these figures; The end portion In of the first named army tank includes a forwardly extending, downwardly inclined, upper wall portion 12 and a lower wall portion 13 extending downwardlyfrom the wall portion 12. The end portion H of the second namedarmy tank includes a vertically extending wall portion 14, and a lower inclined wall portion 15 extending downwardly and inwardly from the wall portion HI.

In carrying out our invention, suitable brackets areprovided onthe front and rear end portions of the army tanks for attachment of our improved draft and bufier riggings, the brackets which are provided on the front end portion I of the tank being in the form of outstanding, laterally spaced ears iii-JG, projecting from the wall portion l2, these ears being provided with aligned perforations adapted to receive a pivot pin.

The suppo ting frame A or each draft and buffer rigging includes a transversely disposed ring member, and a pair of laterally spaced, di: verging arms Iii-48 on opposite sides of the ring member. The arms iii-l8 are forked at their free ends, as indicated at l9|9, the forked portions of the arms l8l8 of the frame. A, which is attached to the tank front and pore tion I0, being engaged over the ears i6+=|6 and attached thereto by an elongated pivot pin 20 extending through perforations in said ears, and suitable pivot pin receiving openings in the forked portions. The single pivot pin Zn extends through both arms lit-18 and both of the ears ti ti- Tte fren and; It of the tank, a s q rrie a a r f. er l paced spring swea s 2 w. which r t e wa and h ve an aadin en gemen s. .2 22 re n. tiresome on. the niw sin 20 these, en a g men s bei nelz-f rate o rec ve he p o 12 which at th tathmu b- Th u nort 2 a n ated the p n 2a i war y e a m 8. Di. 9% ca ies n ming. uppc tinez f m A. n have nrnevtiaepring support ng hep r s teen ther n, o ate u w rdlv bey nd the end if. wal 1. .1? t e. tanh. Each suppo tin i wee A. hast a e al inward y nmicet -na. hp 9 17 Shr ne a ou ments 2 :2 at e fr en 93 the arms! .8mm. h of. a d p ng abu menis b ng on e nne ide f sa d arm it- :133. sci-Ja .t. the io ked. en pa ti sifir- 9; of said arms.

19mm Z -H m'e t Z Ant n na A. w ma aise 0. he-tank end W n stms d b tw e h m and shelves of the; s

" Job is. I lit i i i ir Zfi: 3. "a bum is 3. 2. nn its 1 tarsus.-

tain. he suppor in t ains A. er-erred ta in ers.

zontal position,

machet mount n he; sunpprtins: rameA at the d a t a d bnfi r iiga na. wh ch s .ttached tqeank nea end por ion i ',..Q Q l he a. pair:

Q; ater na sd; ears. 2.6-2.5:mo1'ec. efrom. the va lr, A 0i. t ksend. I l:- Each .61. a dis li a e p r i n. r v ded w th a on igli can ll em. 2.8.. w i h thre d d: a ts lde nd 9= e eanut 9- T e val zno rtion. th an nd soni s; nn v dod: .it 1. able. aterux ew o e n s: fi -3m tof aci li ate attachment, of the ears 267-25 tosaidwall portion. Eachar Zdhas-the-baseifi thereq a u i a h t r i e.- o t e wa l po io [54. atone of said openings. so, with. the; stem; 2.8; ntending, through. said opening. This ear Z6; clamped in fixed, positi n. on s d: W211i.v por ion. by. the. -nut 2.9 awash r 31 ing, te iiziwki e,- tween. sa d. nut. and. he. nn r ide o e w ll. portion l d, the washer overlying the correspqnde ns penin 311;.

The Simm i s, r me. Awhich. sm un daqa he. nk. por on. H, a t e. f rked. d. no. ions. 1,971.9... of the. arm 3: 8 th eof: encased: ove t e ar Zi 5. n: on ted; i in: Lsimi a-r o. h pivot in. he e nnefcre de:. scribed, extends through said ears and the fcrkeda portions; of. said. arms; and;- sewesa to connect the asinamed rame ;to.,the:.tank;end; M 1 for swingna-mQvem ni-.. As-willhe evident; the s pp frames AA of the draft riggings are thus pivotally mounted for swinging movement in vertical planes. The tank end H is also provided with spring supports 33-33, which are vertically aligned with the spring abutrnents 2424 of the supporting frame A which is attached to Said tank end. Springs -34 supported on said brackets and hearing at their upper ends on said spring abutments 24-24 sustain the supporting frame A last referred to in horizontal position. Each sprin support 33 is in the form of a cup in which the corresponding spring is seated. Said spring supports are carried by a bracket 38 bolted to a suitable support 31 fixed to, thewall ['5 of the tank end I I.

The carrier B of each draft and buffer rigging is in the form of a yoke having top and bottom arms 33-48 connected by vertical end sections 3fl..e3r9;.. The end sections 39-39 are provided with aligned openings 40-40 adapted to accommodateportions of the followers D and E. The carrier B, is. disposed within the ring it of the corresponding, supporting frame A and is swiv-- elled tov said frame for rotation about a vertical axis, hy top and bottom pivot pins iiHJ engaged through suitable openings: in the top and bottom armsof the carrier and said ring; 17 The carrier 13. ofv each draft and buffer ring is held centered: by tension springs. LE-42 attached to opposite. sides of; the inner end. of. the carrier, and the arms Mi -i8 of thecorresponding supporting frame A. The inner vertical section of the carr er B. is pr vided with1'us-4343 and the; spring, abutmentsIMZ-A of the arms ill-48. of said frame are. provided with lugs 44,- to, which the opposite; ends of. said springs 4Z l-21. are'fixed" The followers D- and E. ofv each draftdand buifen rier. B. thereon Eachfollower D and E comprises; 1 a. disc-like section 4 5 disposed within. the carrier 3- and an outwardly projecting; cylindrical stem, the stem of the follower D'being; indicated by 4-63 and projecting. through the. openin 4;; of the: ver-- icalend section as f. the c rrier. B and the. stem of theqfollower Ebeing: indicated by 4&1 endow-- itching through the; opening 40.- of. the. vertical: end: sec ion.

frictionshock absorbercof each draft-rand; miter rigging is.- at welbknown; design and com;-

prises. a. fr ction. casing; 8., friction shoes-- 49 -49: slidingl-y telescoped within the casing, a, block 50 in. wedging engagement, With the. shoes,v and; springs 5| and 52; Within; the casing yieldingly op.- posing inward movement. of the shoes. tion. shock absorber C isv disposedwithin thacarrier B. between. the followers. D.- and. wedge; block. 5!]. bearing; on, the disc: section: &5- of; the, follower 13,, and. the closed endof the casing. 4.8.; bearing. on, the disc section 4.5 of the. fol;- lower The-drawbar Eof. each of said draft andhuifen riggingsis; in. the. form of anelongatedA cylindrical.

ban having, an, eye, member 5,3 atits outerendto: which. thestem ofthe coupler G-,, which coupler-is;

of; any wellf-knonmdesigmis connected by a, pivot pin. 54 extending, through. said; stem and the.- eye member 53; drawbar F extends through. suitable, longitudina'lly alignediopenings int-he followers 1). and, E, threaded on the shanlnof the same bearson the outer side ofthe follower E; The, follower E'is.

thus connected-t0 the; drawbar Ffor movement in. andtnefollower D and.

unison therewith in: draft, drawbanE- are thus ennvny movable and: 1:0.- tatable with-respect to-each other.

The fric- E; with the.

The cylindrical shank portion. of. the

wedge block 511, and the casing lfi and a nutsa',

wardly therewith, thus 75 In draft,'the drawbar pulls the follower E'forcompressing the friction shock absorber C against the follower D which is held stationary by engagement with the corresponding vertical end section 39 of thecarrier- B.

The coupler G, which is fixed F, is arranged and designed so that the inner end of the shank of the coupler engages the outer end of the stem 46 of the follower D in buff, thus forcing the follower D toward the follower E and compressing the friction shock absorber therebetween.

As will be evident, the arrangement and de-. sign of our improved draft and buffer rigging provides for universal connection between army tanks, the carrier B being swivelled for rotation in its supporting frame about a vertical axis at right angles to the pivotal axis of said supporting frame. It is further pointed out-that the drawbar connection with the followers'l) and island friction shock absorber C provides for rotary adjustment'of the drawbar and coupler in service, the drawbar being rotatable in the follower D and the follower E, which is fixed to the drawbar, being rotatable in the carrier B.

We claim:

1. In a draft rigging for vehicles, the combination with a supporting frame pivotally connected to the vehicle for swinging movement in a vertical plane; of a carrier swivelled on said frame for rotation about a vertical axis; a friction shock absorber within said carrier; inner and outer abutments on said carrier; followers at opposite ends of said friction shock absorber; a drawbar connected to the inner follower to actuate the same in draft, said drawbar being rotatable about its longitudinal axis with respect to said followers; and a coupler fixed to the outer end of the drawbar and engageable with the outer follower to actuate the same in buff.

2. In a draft rigging for vehicles, the combination with a supporting frame hinged at one end on said vehicle for swinging movement in a vertical plane; of a carrier swivelled on said frame for rotation about a vertical axis; a friction shock absorber within the carrier, said shock absorber including a friction casing and a spring resisted clutch slidable in the casing; followers bearing on opposite ends of said friction shock absorber; stops on the carrier limiting separation of said followers lengthwise of the mechanism; and a cylindrical drawbar extending through said followers and friction shock absorber, said drawbar having shouldered engagement with one of said followers to actuate the same in one direction and being axially rotatable in both of said followers.

3. In a draft rigging for vehicles, the combination with a supporting frame comprising a ring member and side arms extending rearwardly from said ring member, the ends of said arms remote from said ring member being pivotally connected to the vehicle for swinging movement about a horizontal axis; a carrier having top and bottom trunnions journaled in bearing openings in the top and bottom of said ring member; in-

ner and outer stop means on said carrier; a friction shock absorber within the carrier; followers bearing on opposite ends of said friction shock absorber; and a drawbar extending through said followers and friction shock absorber, said drawbar being axially rotatable in both of said followers and being connected to said inner follower to move the latter in draft.

4. In a draft rigging for vehicles, the comto the drawbar "'6 bination witha supporting framecomprising a circular loop memberprovided with arms ,on opposite sides thereof extending lengthwise of the mechanism, said armsbeing pivotally connected to the vehicle for swinging movement in a vertical plane; a carrier within the loop member; pivot means at the top and bottom of said carrier journaled in the top and bottom wall portions of said loop member for rotation about a vertical axis, saidv carrier having inner and outer stops; innerandouter followers abutting said inner and outer stops; a friction shock absorber 'within'the carrier between said followers; and a lengthwise extendin drawbar journaled in' both of said followers and said shocl: absorber for rotation about -a' horizontal axis, said inner follower beingconnec'ted to the drawbar for movement-"therewith in draft,- and journaled for rotation in said carrier about the longitudinal axis ofsaid' carrier, said drawbar having a coupler connecte'dthereto. vI

' 5. In a draft rigging for vehicles, the combination with a supporting frame swingingly mounted at oneend on the vehicle; of a carrier journaled in the other end of said frame for rotation'about an axis at right angles to the axis of swinging movement of said frame, said carrier having lengthwise extending, top and bottom arms and vertical, inner and outer end sections connecting said arms, said end sections having longitudinally aligned bearing openings therein; inner and outer followers within the carrier bearing, respectively, on the inner sides of said end sections, each of said followers having a projecting stem extending through the opening of the adjacent end section of said carrier; a friction shock absorber interposed between said followers; and a cylindrical drawbar extending through said inner and outer followers, and through said shock absorber, said drawbar being connected to said inner follower to actuate the same in draft, and journaled for rotation in both of said followers.

6. In a draft rigging for vehicles, the combination with a supporting frame pivotally connected at one end to the vehicle for swinging movement; of a carrier swivelled in the other end of said frame for rotation about an axis at right angles to the axis of swinging movement of said frame; a friction shock absorber mounted in said carrier; a pair of end followers mounted in said carrier, said followers engaging opposite ends of said shock absorber; and a drawbar extending through said followers and shock absorber, said drawbar being mounted for axial rotation in both of said followers and being connected to the other follower to actuate the same in draft, and said followers being mounted in said carrier for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said drawbar.

7. In a draft rigging for vehicles, the combination with a supporting frame pivotally connected to the vehicle for swinging movement in a vertical plane; of a spring abutment on said vehicle below said frame; a spring reacting between said abutment and frame for supporting the latter in horizontal position; a carrier swivelled on said frame for rotation about a vertical axis; a friction shock absorber within said carrier; inner and outer abutments on said carrier; followers at opposite ends of said friction shock absorber; a drawbar connected to the inner follower to actuate the same in draft, said drawbar being rotatable with respect to both of said followers; and a coupler fixed to the outer end of the draw- '7 bar and engageable with the outer follower to actuate the same in bufi.

8. In a draft rigging for vehicles, the combination with a supporting frame pivotally connected to the vehicle for swinging movement in a vertical plane; of a carrier swivelled on said frame for rotation about a vertical axis; a friction shock absorber within said carrier; inner and outer abutments on said carrier; followers at opposite ends of said friction shock absorber; a drawbar connected to the inner follower to actuate the same in draft, said drawhar being rotatable with respect to both of said followers, said drawbar having an eye at its outer end; and a coupler fixed to the outer end of the drawbar and engageable with the outer follower to actuate the same in buff, said coupler being connected to said drawbar by a pin extending through the eye of the drawbar.

9. In a draft rigging for vehicles, the combination with a supporting frame pivotally connected at one end to the vehicle for swinging movement in a vertical plane; of an elongated carrier swivelled between its ends on the other end of said frame for rotation about a vertical axis; tension springs connected at their outer ends to opposite sides of said carrier at the inner end of the latter, said tension springs extending to the inner end of said frame, in diverging relation, and having their ends fixed to said frame; a friction shock absorber within said carrier; inner and outer abutments on said carrier; followers at opposite ends of said friction shock absorber; a drawbar extending through said outer followerand connected to said inner follower to actuate the same in draft; and a coupler fixed to the outer end of said drawbar.

VERNON S. DANIELSON. WILLIAM D. WALLACE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,183,880 Johnston May 23, 1916 1,754,309 Cowell Apr. 15, 1930 2,403,585 Dath et a1. July 9, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 18,629 Australia July 26, 1934 

